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More than half of UK engineers have lost confidence in Government policy and believe it is “failing” the industry.

That’s according to a new survey by Matchtech, which claims more than three quarters of engineers do not believe the Government is doing enough to attract new investment in the industry and 56% are not confident companies will continue to invest locally.

The ‘Confidence Index’ from the engineering recruitment firm also show nearly half of UK engineers are less confident they will have a job for life. Two in five said they would leave the country and move abroad for work in the next five years, with 3.8% of those working in the oil and gas industry.

Keith Lewis (pictured), Managing Director of the company said: “It is evident that there are a number of critical issues here that need to be addressed to remove the sense of trepidation within the industry. The Index shows this need to start with the Government but there is a lot to be done in a short space of time. Perceptions need to change fast and the Government needs to reassess its priorities urgently to prevent a further shift of attitude that could come with hugely detrimental consequences.”

More than two-thirds of engineers also do not feel confident the UK could be a world leader in engineering in the future.